Boscolo Plaza Hotel - Nice

On my first visits to Nice, I was always struck by how elegant and regal the Boscolo Plaza Hotel appears.  Like a grand dame in the heart of the city overlooking the park, sea and all it surrounds.  I still feel the same about the hotel to this day.

Boscolo Plaza Hotel

There is something very appealing and comfortable about the hotel.  I instantly fell in love with the attention to detail in the architecture, the beautiful cornices uniquely carved around each and every window and balcony, and just wait until you see how the building is lit up at night, it brings out the details of the hotel even more and a sense of romance.

In recent years the Boscolo Plaza Hotel has had some renovations and upgrades done to the building and it’s 172 rooms and restaurants, all so that you can have a more pleasurable experience in what feels like a stately yet modern functioning hotel.

 

The staff is friendly and accommodating in helping you with a recommendation on what size room to choose from and any other requests.  All the rooms have wonderful and interesting views of the city, my personal favorites are the rooms on the corner overlooking rue Paradis.

The address of the Boscolo Plaza Hotel is: 12 avenue de Verdun, the hotel takes up practically the whole front of that block, you certainly can’t miss it.  Boscolo Plaza Hotel is literally a 30 second walk away from the corner of Place Massena and perhaps a two-minute walk away from the beach.

If shopping is your thing, then not only is the gay-friendly Boscolo Plaza Hotel in the center of it all, it is above it all as many of the high end boutiques are situated at street level, tucked into the front of the building.  You will find shops such as Hermes, Cartier among others if luxury shopping is what you are seeking.

And if you are interested in relaxing with a drink and enjoying a delicious meal, then make your way to the rooftop terrace or “La Terrasse” where you can just sit back, eat, drink and enjoy the spectacular views of the city and sea.

The Boscolo Plaza Hotel has everything and more, it’s even within walking distance to most of the gay bars, saunas and nightclubs.  In my world, who could ask for more than that?

If you are looking for a quality hotel stay, I’d book into the Boscolo Plaza Hotel in Nice.

Nice Emergency Contact Numbers

Although I have never had an emergency incident of any kind in all my years of going to Nice, I always think it is wise to be prepared and at least know of some emergency contact numbers and addresses to be on the safe side.

Here is a list that you may find helpful:

POLICE SECOURS: tel. 17

GENERAL EMERGENCY NUMBER: tel. 112

POLICE SECOURS NON-EMERGENCY: tel. 10

Nice's Main Police Station is located at: 1 avenue Marechal Foch

tel. 04 92 17 22 22

There is also what they call a Police Tourist Station located a block from the beach next to Le Meridien Hotel.  It is located at: 4 rue de Gabriel Faure

tel. 04 93 53 53 53

Currently Nice is one of four test cities to introduce police patrolling by foot.  Right now the police force consists of 355 officers but that will increase to about 380 by the end of the year.  The first street patrols have already started and consist of nine, two-officer teams working in various locations throughout the city.  Personally, I'm all for it.  Anything that can bring together a community and help create a safer environment works to the benefit of everyone.

Nice's main hospital is Hospital Saint-Roch.  It is located at: 5 rue Pierre Devoluy

The hospital has 24 hour emergency services and the number is: tel. 04 92 03 33 75
or 
SAMU (Medical emergencies) - Centre 15 : tel. 15

also

S.O.S. MÉDECINS (24h Doctor service) tel. 04 93 85 01 01

MÉDECINS DE GARDE (24h Doctor service) tel. 04 93 53 03 03

NICE MÉDECINS (24h Doctor service) tél. 04 93 52 42 42

S.O.S. DENTAIRE (emergency dental care at night or Sundays and holidays)
tel. 04 93 76 53 53

tel. 04 92 13 00 99

CENTRE DE DÉPISTAGE ANONYME
et gratuit du V.I.H. (free and anonymous AIDS screening)
2 rue Edouard Béri (angle hôpital St-Roch) tel. 04 93 85 12 62

PHARMACIE DE NUIT (Night Pharmacy - 24/7)
7, rue Masséna tel. 04 93 87 78 94
66, avenue J. Médecin  tel. 04 93 62 54

POMPIERS (Fire Station): tel. 18

From what I understand these numbers can also be used from your cell phone but only if your phone adjusts itself to that region, for the longer phone numbers such as 04 93... you may have to use the code +33 first.

I hope this is helpful.  Be safe.

G.I. Sex Shop

I'm going to confess something here.
I've actually only been inside the G.I. Sex Shop about twice in all of my time in Nice so the information I'm going to provide will be very limited.

G.I. Sex Shop is located on the edge of Vieux Nice along the tram line.  It's within walking distance of Place Masséna but if you happen to be on the tram, step off at the Opera-Vieille Ville Station.  The G.I. Sex Shop is literally right across from the tram station at: 8 Descente Crotti, you won't be able to miss the signage.

The G.I. Sex Shop consists of four floors.  I have only been on two of them myself.  Upon entering you will notice that it has the obvious feel of a porn shop.  They have DVDs, sex toys and poppers of all kinds for sale.  The place feels clean, even compact in areas and has a strong mixture of gay, straight and bisexual male clientele.

There are private porn booths available.  Some of the porn playing appears to be not so up-to-date but I have seen some booths that seem to be playing more recent porn as well.  Cost of admittance to roam around the maze-like area in the lower level (and other areas I assume) was only 6 euros. 

The lower level, with its maze and hook up areas is definitely where most of the action seems to take place.  Its dark, and the guys aren't that shy about getting something going.  For the most part, men seemed to keep most of their clothes on, but on my two visits, there was the occasional nude man or two cruising around.  Not surprisingly, they were also the ones getting the most attention.

G.I. Sex Shop

I understand G.I. Sex Shop is busiest during the afternoons, but gets quieter in the evenings.  It does attract quite a varied clientele, with a diverse range of age and tastes.
 
Play Safe!

LGBT Community Center

One of the many things I love about Nice, besides the city in general, is how much the LGBT community truly looks out for one another.  

I have never been in a city where LGBT people and their businesses give each other such mutual credit, guidance, respect and support in any way they can.

LGBT Community Center
 
So it makes me very happy to let you know that the new LGBT Community Center for the Cote d'Azur is having it's official inaugural opening on Monday, May 16, 2011!

I'm sure the community center was no easy task to bring together, but they should be very proud of this accomplishment and for what it holds for the future of the community!

The LGBT Community Center’s mandate is very straightforward:

- Conduct itself as a local identity open to everyone.

- Be a House of Associations for member associations such as the AGLAE.

- Provide a warm welcome, information, guidance and support of the public.

- Take action to prevent STIs, the fight against AIDS, and to support people living with HIV/AIDS.

- Fight for equal rights.

- Fight against homophobia.

From what I understand, they will also provide information on civil and legal actions, host seminars, and provide other information on various events happening in and around the city of Nice and the whole of the French Riviera.

The inauguration of the LGBT Community Center will start at 7pm, Monday, May 16, 2011 and will be attended by the Mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, along with various local performers and artists.

You will find the LGBT Community Center is located close to the tramline.
If you are taking the tram, step off at Garibaldi Station, walk in the opposite direction from Place Garibaldi but stay on avenue de la Republique for about 3 blocks until you see rue de Roquebilliere on your right.  Turn on to that street itself, and a few steps later you will arrive at: 123 rue de Roquebilliere, on your right hand side.

At the moment, the LGBT Community Center will be open to the public on Wednesdays from 5pm-8pm and Saturdays from 2pm-8pm.
The phone numbers to call the Center are: +33 06 69 98 80 80 and +33 09 81 93 14 82.
 
Members of the LGBT Community Center are currently looking for more volunteers to help provide various support needs within the facility, be seminar hosts, etc.  The community and volunteers should be applauded for all their hard work and efforts.

Photos © François Morey

UPDATE May 17, 2011

From everything I have been hearing, things went very well Monday evening for the official inauguration of the new LGBT Community Center.
There were upwards of 300 people in attendance and everyone had a great time!

 

Update December 1, 2011

I realize this update should have been done far earlier but I just wanted to add that I was finally able to make my first visit to the new LGBT Community Center this past September 2011.

One afternoon before going to the beach I thought I would stop in, not sure what to expect but hoping I could get some information and perhaps a tour of the center.

 

Walking into the center I was greeted by two very charming and welcoming volunteers who were chatting and having coffee.  One of them even brought some home made cookies for themselves and whoever happened to stop in that day.
 

They were full of smiles and very enthusiastic to show me the new community center and tell me more about themselves.  We all seemed to hit it off, I had arrived thinking I would be there maybe 10-15 minutes; I ended up being there for easily an hour.

The LGBT Community Center is set up perfectly!  There are a couple of lounging areas, a corner with a small kitchen, and a public computer area.

They had lots of informative brochures and maps, not only about the nightclubs and tourist things to do in the city, but also about AIDS prevention, housing information and agendas for various LGBT meetings that are held at the center, along with various associations one could join.

They were also in the process of setting up some office space and they even had a small boardroom with a painting on the wall done by the artist, Patrick Moya.

I was very impressed and so happy this is part of the French Riviera!

I seriously suggest that if this is your first time in Nice, make this one of your first visits in the city.  There is so much information to be found at the LGTB Community Center, it will certainly help guide you towards a better trip and I’m sure you won’t meet a friendlier bunch of people.